43 Missing

Based on the true events of September 2014, when 43 college students disappeared after a night of violence in the Mexican state of Guerrero, Emilia Cruz is detailed to a national task force to investigate such a crime. She’s the junior member and the only woman.

After 18 months and three inconclusive investigations, the task force is the Mexican government’s last attempt to discover what happened to 43 students who disappeared after being seized by police in a small Mexican city. Yet the effort, comprised of cops from across the country, seems primed for failure.

Evidence and case files are in chaos. The Attorney General sets strict limits. High stakes politics and competing personalities drive a tight agenda.

Throwing herself into the fray, Emilia unearths information that embarrasses the Attorney General and adds to the confusion about what really happened to the missing students. The previous motive is thrown out and false confessions are found. Hope dwindles that the mystery can be solved.

At the same time, working in Mexico City lets Emilia start the hunt for the rapist and murderer known as El Acólito, with whom she has an agonizing family tie. His past life in Mexico City could reveal clues to where he’s hiding now.

As tensions within the task force soar, a diplomat from the United States embassy offers Emilia $50,000 to end the investigation into the missing students. The diplomat claims it is delaying the extradition of a famous jailed cartel leader known as the Barrel Bomber, who escaped from prison in Mexico twice before. If the extradition doesn’t happen soon, chances are he’ll escape again.

The money could help Emilia get El Acólito, whom she is determined to kill. But it ends any chance of bringing the truth to the families of the 43 missing students.

When the task force heads to the scene of the crime, Emilia knows her loyalty, conscience, and very future will be put to the test.